Should Obama shutdown his fundraising operation for the general

By: humanfont
Published On: 2/16/2008 5:22:40 PM

McCain and the republicans can't seem to raise any money.  In december of last year Obama said he would abide by public financing in the general election which runs from the time he is nominated to election day.  He qualified this and said he would only do it if his opponent did the same.  Now an intereting phenomenom has occured.  Obama is raising tons of cash.  He could easily raise 300 or 400 million for the general; leaving the 85million in federal matching dollars in the dust.  Meanwhile with the base disengaged McCain will struggle to have funds.  In today's Post Obama was called out for waffling on his original pledge.  So I put it to my fellow Obama supporters and the detractors on this blog.  Should Obama take public funds or not?
Personally I think he should take public funds, like McCain and then crush him based on his 100 year war strategy.  527s and other groups can make the difference.  

Comments



He should do what works (Rebecca - 2/16/2008 6:35:48 PM)
This is not a matter of violating the Constituion or any law. He should do what works for him. I think any of the other cadidates would do the same.


A Possible Response to McCain: (FMArouet21 - 2/16/2008 8:28:04 PM)
Obama and his advisers are reality-based, so I would not be surprised to see them respond to McCain's gambit along these lines;

If we succeed in obtaining the Democratic nomination, we will be willing to discuss with you the possibility of public funding for the general election this fall. We would have to make sure, however, that wealthy extremists like Robert Perry, who personally funded the Swift Boat smears on Senator Kerry during the campaign in 2004, would not be able to subvert either of our campaigns by fabricating and funding such smears this fall.

Is there any way that we can ensure that Swift Boating will not return to American politics? If you can guarantee that your rich, extremist Republican allies will not engage in such activity, we may be able to reach an agreement on public funding.

Of course, McCain will not be able to guarantee the good behavior of neoconderthal nutzis like Robert Perry, so he will be unable to satisfy Obama's demand. Obama's people-powered fundraising advantage can be maintained for the general election.

Here, by the way, is an article on the smear funder, Robert Perry,

I think that Obama and his troops have enough savvy and energy to respond swiftly and effectively to whatever smears the nutzis can think up. And if Obama rejects public funding, he should have the money to counter any smear ad.



HELL NO! (The Grey Havens - 2/16/2008 9:58:25 PM)
The moment Edwards opted for public financing was the moment he lost the nomination.

If you want to make some change in the system, make it from the white house.

Nobody cares about this.  It will not win a single vote.

O should strongly articulate that he intends to beat John McCain in every way and pass real election reform with his help from the Senate.



Nobody will remember (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 2/19/2008 6:54:02 AM)
if he does or does not take public financing in the end. He should do whatever is required to put the Republicans under and win the election in November.